NordVPN vs ExpressVPN 2018 – MUST Read Before You Pick

Chris Beattie

December 11, 2017

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Updated: January 1st, 2018

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

This is a comprehensive comparison between two very respected and globally-used VPN service providers: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN. Herein you will see which of these two service is the "better" provider all-round.

In order to determine exactly which VPN service is better between NordVPN and ExpressVPN, we defined six main factors to grade each service on. We believe these six factors to be the most significant and thus important areas to compare each VPN service against.

So by comparing against these pre-defined six factors, and then collapsing the results of each, we are able to see whether NordVPN or ExpressVPN is, overall, the better VPN service provider. Let's see how this comparison went!

NOTE: The percentages for each VPN across the factors are calculated against every VPN service provider we have reviewed here at Fried.com. So 100% means that service is one of -- if not the -- best performer in that area.

Quick Comparison

Price

$$

$$$

Speed & Performance

80%

100%

Security & Privacy

90%

90%

Device Compatibility

95%

95%

Server Locations

42+

78+

Customer Support

95%

95%

WHO WINS?

Comparison Breakdown

So ExpressVPN comes out on top. As you see in the overview stats above, this was actually a really close comparison, therefore it is a great idea to look into each of the six factors individually to get a complete analysis of why each grade was given.

Thus, let's dive into each factor and see whether -- although ExpressVPN is overall the better service provider of the two -- NordVPN might be the better choice for you and your priorities with the VPN you want to choose.

PRICING

PLANS OFFERED1 month = $8 6 months = $3012 months = $48

NordVPN, for offering such a top level VPN service, manage to keep their pricing plans very affordable. Compared against ExpressVPN, you definitely save more money by going with NordVPN.

$$

PLANS OFFERED1 month = $12.95 6 months = $59.9412 months = $99.84

Testament to the level of quality that ExpressVPN provide, you pay in the mid-to-high price range for the service. The monthly price does go down if you commit to the longer plans.

$$$

Paying for a VPN is definitely the smartest thing you can do these days, especially considering just how surveillance heavy and data-hacking happy the world wide web is. With that said, if budget is something you are considering over performance, then NordVPN are definitely less expensive in this area. ExpressVPN is one of the more pricey available right now, however this is justified in the level of service you get with them.

When you connect to any of the servers offered by NordVPN you are given pretty solid speeds that are consistent regardless of the server location chosen, which is good, although not as top-level as ExpressVPN in this instance.

To be certain as to the impact on my internet speed that NordVPN will have, I went ahead and ran a speed test on my laptop once I had the software dowloaded. As you can see in the screen shots below, the speed is not terrible actually - so it was definitely in the consistency of this speed that NordVPN could not keep up with ExpressVPN:

Without VPN:

With VPN:

Overall NordVPN Speed Score:

80%

This area of speed and performance is where ExpressVPN really is hard to be outshone. There is almost zero speed loss when connected to any server through this VPN service and the consistency is the best I have experienced to date.

In the interest of fairness with this factor-grading, I of course went through the same speed testing process as I did with NordVPN above. First testing my laptop's internet connection speed without being connected to the software, and then running the same taste after connecting:

The encryption given when connected through NordVPN is top notch. 256-bit protocols and zero-logging are given to all users, which ensures that your privacy is protected as best it can be.

90%

ExpressVPN users are also provided with equally "military grade" level encryption on all server connections, as well as not having to adhere to strict data laws in the US or UK.

90%

VPN software was primarily used by companies and individuals originally (like, 10 years ago) as a way to remotely access other computers, such as for the first 'remote' workers in the corporate world. They were a great way to not only achieve this remote access to other machines, but most importantly in a secure way. So privacy has always been at the core of VPNs. With this in mind, it makes sense that both of these service providers, in 2017, are able to deliver the highest level of data encryption that a VPN can possibly deliver.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN : BEST SECURITY & PRIVACY?↓

EVEN

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY

Device compatibility is a non-issue with NordVPN. Any smartphone, laptop, desktop, router, games console and smartTV you want to use this VPN service on will work, as well as super easy to understand setup guides being provided by NordVPN to help you out.

95%

Exactly as NordVPN, ExpressVPN users can use this service across any and all devices you would ever want to use the it on. Equally simple step-by-step setup guides are given along with dedicated mobile apps for each smartphone OS.

95%

Device compatibility is something you should consider should you want to have more than just your laptop, or smartphone, or tablet privacy protected and able to access blocked online services. Thankfully, there is no difference between these two powerhouse VPN providers in this department. Both offer multi-device compatibility across every device you would ever want to encrypt the data and unblock online access via.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN : DEVICE COMPATIBILITY?↓

EVEN

SERVER LOCATIONS

The amount of different country locations offered by the VPN service you go with is important if you want to be able to unblock geo-restricted content the world over. NordVPN offer a respectable amount of these, but unfortunately fall short of ExpressVPN's database.

42+

ExpressVPN come out on top of this very important factor to consider with a VPN service, by offering a great amount of server locations the world over. On top of this large selection, each server performs absolutely brilliantly. Both of these combine to give the user a great geo-restricted media streaming time.

78+

This factor is an interesting one to consider. To a certain extend with VPN providers, it is not necessarily the number of server locations that they can offer their users, but rather the variety of said servers.

What I mean is, there are countries in the world that much more online content is blocked from accessing, and similarly there many countries in the world within which certain content can only be accessed.

Take this into consideration when you decide on which one of these to go for, if unblocking and accessing inaccessible content is top priority for you wanting to use a VPN. Check NordVPN and ExpressVPN's respective server location listings to see if they offer locations in countries you want access to or from.

NordVPN clearly take a lot of care and time to develop the best customer support they can to their users. You can get really quick and expert support with this service through email and ticketing, and most importantly through live chat.

95%

The level of support given to customers on ExpressVPN is right at the same level as NordVPN. You are given multiple options to get support from the ExpressVPN team super quickly, and also through live chat right on the site.

95%

Yup. Impossible to choose a winner in this factor. If you want fast, consistent, super friendly and detail-focused customer support from your VPN should any issues come with it while you're using it -- then both of these providers deliver top shelf quality in this department.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN : BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT?↓

EVEN

Additional Features

Both of these VPNs go above and beyond the base functionality that a great VPN should provide its users. So whichever of the two you choose, you can be sure to have some cool little add-ons that help with either protecting your privacy or unlocking your online freedom to another level. Also they have super useful little features on their actual software interface to make the user experience just that little bit more natural and smooth.

- ExpressVPN and NordVPN both provide the kill switch tool, which cuts off your internet the moment your VPN connection drops, which can happen very rarely. This insures your data and activity is not compromised without you knowing it.

- Interface-wise, both allow multiple sorting options of the server locations they offer. This may seem small, but it really helps you get connected to the right server as easily and smartly as possible.

- The last time I checked the NordVPN interface, they did not allow one of my favourite little features that I have experienced with any VPN: the ability to 'save' your favourite (i.e. most used) server locations. ExpressVPN allow this.

These are just a few of the extra features you get with each VPN, so it's worth considering these should you be requiring such additional bells n whistles on your VPN.

WHO WINS?

Comparing NordVPN VS ExpressVPN -- ExpressVPN takes the trophy. Although a really close comparison when looking into each factor considered individually, ExpressVPN manages to get ahead as the better VPN service. Click above to learn more about ExpressVPN.

Conclusion

There you have it -- ExpressVPN is the overall better VPN service providers when comparing NordVPN VS ExpressVPN. With that said, NordVPN definitely is aware of the areas it lacks in comparison to ExpressVPN, as this is highlighted very generously in the service's affordable price plans.

Both of these services offer a money-back guarantee period when you first get an account, which gives you a good period of time to try each service out without putting down any cash, which is always great.

Have your own experience with either of these VPNs?

If you have tried out one of these VPN providers before and have some interesting experiences or insights to share, then do not hesitate to drop your thoughts down below in the comments section of this page.

The more reviews we can have on this page from independent users around the world - the more this page can become a top authority resource for anyone looking to have the most comprehensive, multi-reviewed comparison base to make the best purchasing decision they can.

In the meantime, be sure to check out our comprehensive full reviews of both ExpressVPN and IPVanish to take a complete, detailed look at each service independently from each other:

It is worth letting you know, since I have personally reviewed all the top VPN providers you can use today, which of them I view as being the most superior.

After rigorously testing out over 50+ of the most popular VPNs available as well as comparing each of them against the other - I can say with certainty that there is a clear "top dog", and it is ExpressVPN. ​​​​​

Hey Jeremy, thanks for commenting. I agree that this is arguably the closest comparison I have done across all the VPNs I have reviewed personally. ExpressVPN did it for me with regards to unblocking Netflix and other services consistently over a long period of time, which NordVPN has been unable to do.

As I scroll down on the comments a few people raised points that can affect this nordvpn​ ​vs​ ​expressvpn argument or will it? I believe points are valid though such programs that can be viewed and stuff? That will make this article so much longer though.

As much as i love this expressvpn​ ​vs​ ​nordvpn article a comment said it best. It would be better if specs more than mentioned can be given like blocked programs for example? For me as long as it does not get overboard I am for it.

Since we are talking about nordvpn​ ​vs​ ​expressvpn​ ​speed, It is worth noting that both have over .50 difference in downloads and over 10 in uploads. I do not know what it means though because it is a decimal figure so how fast is one exactly?

Expressvpn​ ​vs​ ​nordvpn is a good match the price is what sets them apart. In line with that is the locators cost that much considering the over 30 USD jump? Well only the user can say so. Me however, I am leaning towards Nord.

Nordvpn​ ​vs​ ​expressvpn these two are too close to call if you can look past the price difference then you are good. Judging from the previous comparison Nord is no pushover despite Express winning this.

Of all the factors mentioned it is the nordvpn​ ​vs​ ​expressvpn​ that is a bit iffy. I mean is a decimal point difference really that huge? How come the speed of the internet by location is not considered?

hello
thanks for the infos and comments, so it helps me a bit.but the price is a good argumemt but also how many devices at same time can be online.with xpress its 3 and with nord is 6.so if you use smartphones,tablets and notebooks in a family (we are 5 members in family) i think its cheaper and more devices with nord? but how is with amazon and netflix (germany)? its better with xpress? does both work on amazon tablets
thats why we dont know which to choose.we testing xpress now
what you think we should choose?

hello
thanks for the infos and comments, so it helps me a bit.but the price is a good argumemt but also how many devices at same time can be online.with xpress its 3 and with nord is 6.so if you use smartphones,tablets and notebooks in a family (we are 5 members in family) i think its cheaper and more devices with nord? but how is with amazon and netflix (germany)? its better with xpress? does both work on amazon tablets
thats why we dont know which to choose.we testing xpress now
what you think we should choose?